January 18th, 2025
“ Dobroho ranku”, or “Good Morning!” in Ukrainian, is an Eastern Slavic language spoken mainly in Ukraine. I have decided that the UJT will remain focused on Ukraine until we can all rejoice at the end of hostilities. It has been 1,075 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
This week, I learned some stuff:
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- Our son. Sean’s visit, was a wonderful time for all of us. He lead the charge on rebuilding the waterfall outback. It was a team event though. BJ contributed his creativity and muscles as did Darrian and her boyfriend Ryan. Together they managed to turn a pile of old guy created rubble into a thing of beayty. Sean made the ultimate sacrifice and actually spend time in the cold water finishing the pond entry part of he falls. We now have a dual path two-step waterfall that is beautiful. Sean also fixed our shower door, replaced the funky old fittings in the master bathroom sinks. He noticed that the toilet upstairs and the guest bathroom downstairs were leaking and running too much and fixed them too! We had a lot of fun playing games, reminiscing, and of course, eating. I got to do some of my favorite dishes for some of my favorite people. All in all it was a grand 10 days that went by way too fast for my tastes. Seeing ou family mostly all together makes me question our lives here in southern California. We love it here but it is just fine when we are all together or mostly all together. I am busting out with pride in my kids and their kids this morning.
- I had a lot of fun cooking Paella, Ham, Seafood Au Gratin and a bunch of other dishes to share with the gang. Ryan bought us another new game to learn (Darrian says I might even be able to play this one one day!). The gang trooped down to the border outlet mall and scarfed up some great deals on a variety of shoes. They even got me a pair of the Sketchers sneakers that look normal but slip on. Very Cool. That was about the only excursion thing we did given the Sean List. But every day was a gift and magic for all of us.
- The UJT is now coming to you via a new (to me) iMac that Sean installed for me. It’s much newer, faster and smarter than my old one.
- One of the really nice things about visits like this is you get to Brickyard all your different recipes that you want to try and don’t get to
- You can find out all about today’s history here.
This week’s Website Update:
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- No new recipes this week.
- The Home Page this week is from our old neighbor, Fred Rogers: “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
Bonsai Tree and Stained Glass, Update:
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- I am starting back on my Stained Glass project today.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
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- The Christian faith celebrates the gift of the father of the son to the world. Other religions also celebrate this connection in various ways. For me it is not a religion or a calling, per say. Shortly after puberty that kind of faith left me. My leap of faith was a more optimistic or hopeful faith in nature or the universe or something even less defined. I stumbled along trying to be the best me that I could, mostly without any clear understanding or even a hint of what I was doing. It is in my old age that I finally figured out that my job on this planet at this time and place was to do the best I could in creating and nurturing a family – heirs to give to this world in hopes of a better one. In my case, my children honor their mother and I with their kindness, caring and nurturing . My kids humble me with their unselfishness.
Music Update:
This week, I am starting something new in the song selection for UJT Radio. I am going to play songs whose performers’ first names begin with the same letter. Thi i the last week, it will be “S.” There are a lot of great players on that list.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
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- Stevie Wonder — As —” This is a great song. There song is from their album, ” Songs In the Key of Life” released in 198.
- Steely Dan — Time Out of Mind –—This is one of my favorite SD tunes. This one was released in 1980 on “Gaucho”.
- Steohen Stills — So Begins the Task — I fell in love with Stephen’s music way back in the Buffalo Springfield days. this one is a cut from his “Just Roll Tape- April 26th, 1968”.
- Stevie Nicks — Leather and Lace — From the Vinyl @!!! It is impossible for me to think about Fleetwood Max without thinking of Stevie but she also did some great work on her own. This one is from her her “I Belladonna” released in 1980.
- Sting —Fragile (Live In Berlin) — I didn’t hear this version until the “Songs for Japan” album came out in 1988. It is just a beautiful and wise song!
- Styx — Too Much Time on My Hands — This is another anthem song for our generation. I knew about this band and had e even seen them in concert before everyone learned about them at Woodstock. This was released on their 1961 release, “ Paradise Theater”.
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; Always remember… The best is yet to come! As always, thank you for being my friend!